Multi-Tiered Protection Platform

ABSTRACT

A multi-tier platform provides security at a perimeter of a computer system, where an intermediate layer interacts between a web layer and an application layer. A data request that is associated with a data set is received at the web layer and passed to the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer determines the authoritative source for the data set and whether the data set has a static or dynamic value. If the value is static, the intermediate layer accesses the value stored at the intermediate layer. However, if the value is dynamic, the intermediate layer queries the source registered to the data set, obtains the value from the authoritative source, and returns the dynamic value via the web layer, where the registered source may be internal or external to the computer system. Consequently, the intermediate layer may function as an aggregate layer that supports both database and messaging services.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/968,334 entitled “Multi-Tiered Protection Platform” and filed on Dec.14, 2015 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

Aspects described herein relate to computer systems and computernetworks. More particularly, aspects described herein relate to amulti-tier platform that provides security at a perimeter of a computersystem.

BACKGROUND

In order to provide security of a computer system, it is important tosecure the outer perimeter of the system. One traditional approach is toimplement a demilitarized zone (DMZ), sometimes referred to as aperimeter network, as a physical or logical subnetwork that contains andexposes a computer network's external-facing services to a larger anduntrusted network, usually the Internet. However, there may be differingfront end components in the outer perimeter of the computer network thatrequire system maintenance, monitoring, and governance to ensure thecomputer network is not susceptible to compliance failures, and otherfactors. Moreover, traditional approaches typically implement a weblayer that requires one or more redirects between different serviceproviders through the Internet, thus exposing the network to possiblesecurity vulnerabilities.

Consequently, it beneficial to enhance the security of a computernetwork in the context of traditional approaches.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a multi-tier platform that mayprovide additional security at a perimeter of a computer system. Withone aspect, an intermediate layer interacts between a web layer and anapplication layer, where the application layer interacts with one ormore applications internally supported by the computer system. A datarequest that is associated with a data set is received at the web layerand passed to the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer determinesthe authoritative application for the data set and whether the data sethas a static or dynamic value. If the value is static, the intermediatelayer accesses the value stored at the intermediate layer. However, ifthe value is dynamic, the intermediate layer queries the authoritativeapplication registered to the data set, obtains the value from theauthoritative application, and returns the dynamic value via the weblayer.

According to an aspect described herein, the intermediate layer at acomputer system supports a fourth tier in conjunction with three othertiers: the web layer, the application layer, and the database layer. Theintermediate layer may interact with both the web layer and theapplication layer, while the application layer interacts with thedatabase layer. The intermediate layer may function as an aggregatelayer that supports both database and messaging services. Consequently,a data set registered to a source, e.g., application internal to thecomputer system or an external source, may be stored at the intermediatelayer or may be accessed from the registered source via the intermediatelayer.

According to an aspect described herein, a data request from an on-lineuser (e.g., desktop or mobile) is first handled by the web layer andthen passed to the intermediate layer. If the intermediate layer alreadyhas the requested data, which may be a value for a data set, theintermediate layer can respond back to the on-line requestor, thusacting as a database. This situation may be prevalent for users of appsthat incorporate the required logic and need only updated informationprovided by the intermediate layer. If the intermediate layer does nothave the requested data, the intermediate layer may notify theauthoritative source for the corresponding data set and request theinformation, thus acting as a messaging platform.

According to an aspect described herein, multiple applications may beregistered as authoritative for different sets of data and thus theintermediate layer may act as an aggregation layer, thus circumventingredirects between different service providers at the web layer. Withthis approach, a service provider may deliver a consolidated servicewithout web redirects that may otherwise introduce additional securityconcerns.

Aspects of the embodiments may be provided in a computer-readable mediumhaving computer-executable instructions to perform one or more of theprocess steps described herein.

These and other aspects of the embodiments are discussed in greaterdetail throughout this disclosure, including the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitedin the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a computer system that supports a multi-tier protectionplatform in accordance with one or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of an algorithm that may be performed at anintermediate layer to support a multi-tier platform in accordance withone or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an algorithm that may be performed at anintermediate layer to register data sets to sources in accordance withone or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a computer system that supports a multi-tier protectionplatform in accordance with one or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a computer network supporting a multi-tier platform inaccordance with one or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows an apparatus that supports an intermediate layer inaccordance with one or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 7 depicts a data structure that specifies data sets in accordancewith one or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts a data structure that specifies data sets in accordancewith one or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart in which an intermediate layer supports amessaging platform in accordance with one or more illustrativeembodiments.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart in which an intermediate layer supports amessage platform for updating static data when the stored static datahas expired in accordance with one or more illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart in which an intermediate layer controls datapresentation when data is requested in accordance with one or moreillustrative embodiments.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart in which an intermediate layer controls datapresentation when data is stored at the intermediate layer in accordancewith one or more illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various illustrative embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, variousembodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structuraland functional modifications may be made, without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

It is noted that various connections between elements are discussed inthe following description. It is noted that these connections aregeneral and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect,wired or wireless, and that the specification is not intended to belimiting in this respect.

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention will now be describedmore fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed,the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in view of thisdisclosure, the present invention may be embodied as an apparatus (e.g.,a system, computer executable product, and/or other device), a method,or a combination of the foregoing. Accordingly, embodiments of thepresent invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment,an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software,micro-code), or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspectsthat may generally be referred to herein as a “system.” In addition,various signals representing data or events as described herein may betransferred between a source and a destination in the form of light orelectromagnetic waves traveling through signal-conducting media such asmetal wires, optical fibers, or wireless transmission media (e.g., airor space). In general, the one or more computer-readable media maycomprise one or more non-transitory computer-readable media. Embodimentsof the present invention are described below with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of processes or apparatuses (theterm “apparatus” including systems and computer executable products). Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerexecutable instructions. These computer executable instructions may beprovided to a processor of a special purpose computer or otherexecutable data processing apparatus to produce a particular machine,such that the instructions, which execute by the processor of thecomputer or other executable data processing apparatus, createmechanisms for implementing the functions/acts specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer executable instructions and algorithms described hereinmay also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct acomputer or other executable data processing apparatus to function in aparticular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computerreadable memory produce an article of manufacture includinginstructions, which implement the function/act specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

FIG. 1 depicts computer system 100 that supports for a multi-tierprotection platform in accordance with one or more example embodiments.A corresponding multi-tiered model partitions computer system 100 intodifferent layers based on functionality. The multi-tier protectionplatform comprises four layers: web layer 101, intermediate layer 102,application layer 103, and database layer 104. With one aspect,additional security at the perimeter of computer system 100 is enhancedwith respect to traditional approaches.

Intermediate layer 102 interacts between web layer 101 and applicationlayer 103, where intermediate layer 102 may function as an aggregatelayer that supports both database and messaging services. A data setregistered to a source, e.g., application (e.g., 108 or 109) internal tocomputer system 100 or an external source (e.g., external serviceprovider 112), may be stored at intermediate layer 102 (where the valueis static) or may be accessed from the registered source viaintermediate layer 102 (where the value is dynamic). Consequently,application layer 103 and database layer 104 are buffered byintermediate layer 102 with respect to a data request received at weblayer 101.

A data set (or dataset) may be a collection of data and may correspondto the contents of a single database table, or a single statistical datamatrix, where every column of the table represents a particularvariable, and each row corresponds to a given member of the data set inquestion. The data set lists values for each of the variables, such asheight and weight of an object, for each member of the data set. Eachvalue is known as a datum. The data set may comprise data for one ormore members, corresponding to the number of rows.

Multiple applications may be registered as authoritative of differentsets of data and thus intermediate layer 102 may act as an aggregationlayer, thus circumventing redirects between different service providersat web layer 101. With this approach, a service provider may deliver aconsolidated service without web redirects that may otherwise introduceadditional security concerns. For example, intermediate layer 102 mayaccess value 703 (as shown in FIG. 7) from external service provider112, where service provider 112 is deemed as being trusted. Withtraditional approaches, a redirect at web layer 101 may result in aredirect to a web site that is untrusted.

With some embodiments, the term “value” may refer to a set of valuescorresponding to one or more variables that are supported by a source.

A data request from an on-line user (e.g., desktop corresponding tobrowser 113 or mobile corresponding to apps 114) is first handled by weblayer 101 and then passed to intermediate layer 102. If intermediatelayer 102 already has the requested data, which may assume the form of adata set, intermediate layer 102 responds back to the on-line requestor,thus acting as a database. This situation may be prevalent for users ofapps 114 that incorporate the required logic and need only updatedinformation provided by intermediate layer 102. If intermediate layer102 does not have the requested data, intermediate layer 102 may notifythe authoritative source for the corresponding data set and request theinformation, thus acting as a data/information platform (e.g., messagingplatform).

Application layer 103 may support one or more applications 108 and 109of the computer system 100. Applications 108 and 109 may support logic(e.g., business logic) associated with processing by an entity (e.g., abusiness) using computer system 100. Application layer 103, in turn,interacts with database layer 104, which stores data used by theapplication. For example, databases 110 and 111 are associated withapplications 108 and 109, respectively.

A data request (e.g., from apps 114 or browser 113) that requests datafrom data set 105 is received at web layer 101 and passed tointermediate layer 102. Through data structure 700 (shown in FIG. 7 aswill be discussed), intermediate layer 102 determines that application108 is the authoritative application (registered source) for data set105 and whether data set 105 has a static or dynamic value.

With some embodiments, a data request may request data from a pluralityof data sets. Moreover, some of the data sets may have a static valueand some of the data sets have a dynamic value.

The value is static if the value does not change during a time durationso that intermediate layer 102 does not need to query the authoritativeapplication in order to obtain the value. If so, intermediate layer 102accesses the value stored at the intermediate layer. For example, thevalue of data set 105 is static as configured in data structure 700, theauthoritative application is application 108, and the value equals value701.

However, if the value is dynamic (e.g., the value may change eachinstance that the data set is accessed) intermediate layer 102 queriesthe authoritative application registered to the data set, obtains thevalue from the authoritative application, and returns the dynamic valuevia the web layer 102. For example, the value for data set 106 isdynamic as configured in data structure 700. The authoritativeapplication is application 109, and the value is denoted as 0 702, whichdenotes that the value is dynamic. In such a case, the value (which maybe referred as a dynamic data indicator) is accessed by intermediatelayer 102 from application 109 whenever intermediate layer 102 receivesa data request for data set 106 through web layer 101.

While FIG. 1 depicts data sets 105-107 as logically separate,embodiments may implement the data sets as separate data structures, asa single data structure, or as a combination of separate and combineddata structures.

FIG. 2 shows flowchart 200 for an algorithm that may be performed atintermediate layer 102 to support a multi-tier platform in accordancewith one or more example embodiments. At block 201, intermediate layer102 receives a data request at web layer 101, which forwards the requestto intermediate layer 102 at block 202.

At block 203, intermediate layer 102 determines the specific data setthat is associated with the request. (However, if intermediate layer 102is unable to identify the specific data set, the back-office may bealerted and the user informed of the missing data. However, with someembodiments, the data set may be computed and the finding may then bepresented.) Once the data set has been identified, intermediate layer102 determines whether the value of the data set is stored at theintermediate layer 102 (i.e., whether the value is static or dynamic aspreviously discussed). If the value is stored at intermediate layer 102,the requested data is returned via web layer 101 at block 203

However, if the value is not stored at intermediate layer 102 (i.e., thevalue is dynamic), intermediate layer 102 looks up the registered sourceof the data set via a data structure (e.g., lookup table shown in FIG. 7or 8) at block 205. Intermediate layer 102 then determines whether theregistered source is internal or external to computer system 100 atblock 206.

If the registered source is internal to computer system 100 (e.g., theregistered source is an internal application such as application 108 or109), intermediate layer 102 obtains the value for the data set from theapplication at block 207. Also, with some embodiments, the obtainedvalue may be stored in the corresponding data set. The requested data isthen sent to the requestor via web layer 101 at block 208.

If the registered source is external to computer system 100 (e.g., theregistered source is an external service provider such as provider 112),intermediate layer 102 obtains the value for the data set from theexternal source, for example, via the Internet at block 209. Therequested data is then sent to the requestor via web layer 101 at block210.

With some embodiments, requested data may span more than one registeredsource such as application 108 and another application (denoted asapplication_3 in FIG. 8) as depicted in the data structure in FIG. 8.Intermediate layer 102 may then return multiple values to the requestorat blocks 204, 208, or 210. Moreover, the plurality of registeredsources for the requested data may pertain to all internal sources, allexternal sources, or a combination of internal and external sources.

FIG. 3 shows flowchart 300 for an algorithm that may be performed atintermediate layer 102 to register data sets to sources in accordancewith one or more example embodiments. As depicted in FIG. 1, differentdata sets are registered to different sources. For example, data set 105is registered to application 108 and data set 107 is registered toexternal service provider 112. As will be discussed, supported data setsare mapped to different sources in a data structure, for example, asshown in FIG. 7. The mapping may be configured through administrativemodule 405, as shown in FIG. 4, or through administrative server 507 asshown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 3, when a value in a data set is static, the value maybe unchanged over a period of time. However, with some embodiments, whenthe registered source determines that the value has changed, theregistered source updates the value stored at intermediate layer 102 atblock 301. If the source is deemed to be the registered source at block302, the stored value is updated at block 304. If the source is notregistered, the update is rejected by intermediate layer 102 at block303. With some embodiments, the data (value) may also be signed toprevent the data from being altered. With a dynamic data set, a “time toexpire” attribute may invalidate/expire the data.

FIG. 4 shows computer system 400 that supports a multi-tier protectionplatform in accordance with one or more example embodiments. System 400comprising a plurality of modules 401, 402, 403, and 404 that supportweb layer 101, intermediate layer 102, application layer 103, anddatabase layer 104, respectively. One or more modules 401-404 may beimplemented on one or more computer devices with one or more memorydevices. For example, each module may execute on different computerservers as shown in FIG. 5.

Also, administrative module 405 supports administrative functionalityfor modules 401-404. For example, a data structure (e.g., lookup table700 or 800 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively) may be configured tomap data sets 105-107 to corresponding registered sources 108, 109, and112, respectively. Administrative module 405 may also enable dataintegration by determining the data sources based on need. For example,a data source may be one that will no longer be used after a setday/time or that may be added. Moreover, administrative module 405 mayprovide security measures so that an unauthorized party cannotmaliciously modify configuration information or install malicioussoftware in any modules of computer system 400.

With some embodiments, modules 401-405 may be embodied incomputer-executable code that is stored in one or more memory devicesand executed by one or more computer devices and/or embodied inhardware/firmware components such as integrated circuits,application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field executable gatearrays, and the like.

FIG. 5 shows computer network 500 supporting a multi-tier platform inaccordance with one or more example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 4,servers 501, 502, 503-504, 505-506, 507 support modules 401, 402, 403,404, and 405, respectively.

With some embodiments, servers 501-507 interconnect via a local areanetwork (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). It will be appreciated thatthe network connections shown are illustrative and other means ofestablishing a communications link between the computing devices may beused. The existence of any of various well-known protocols such asTCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP, and the like is presumed. Also,connectivity between servers 501-507 may assume wireline and/or wirelessmeans. For example, administrative module 405 (as shown in FIG. 4) mayat least partially execute on a portable device that supports adesirable level of security over a wireless communication channel.

FIG. 6 shows apparatus 600 that supports intermediate layer 102 inaccordance with one or more example embodiments. Apparatus 600 includesprocessing device 603 that executes computer-executable instructionsfrom memory device 602 in order to support the functionality ofintermediate layer 102, e.g., process 200 as shown in FIG. 2. However,some embodiments may include one or more processing devices and/or oneor more memory devices.

Apparatus stores data sets 105-107 (as shown in FIG. 1) in storagesubsystem 601. Storage subsystem 601 may comprise, but is not limitedto, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electronicallyerasable read only memory, flash memory or other memory technology,CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium that can be used to store information and that canbe accessed by computing device 603.

Internal applications (application 1 . . . application N) or externalsources (external source 1 . . . external source M) may publish values(if the values are static) for corresponding data sets via processingdevice 603 or may directly publish updated values to storage subsystem601 through communication interfaces 604 and 606, respectively. When avalue is dynamic, processing device 603 accesses the value from theregistered source through communication interfaces 604 and 606 wheneverthe value is obtained.

When apparatus 600 has obtained the value of the data set for a datarequest, processing device 603 sends the value to web layer 101 throughcommunication interface 605.

Apparatus 600 also interacts with an administrative system (e.g.,administrative module 405 as shown in FIG. 4) in order to configure datastructure 700 or 800.

FIG. 7 depicts data structure 700 that specifies data sets in accordancewith one or more example embodiments. Intermediate layer 102 accessesdata structure in order to obtain a value for a data set in response toa data request via web layer 101.

Each entry of data structure 700 corresponds to a data set comprising adata set ID, registered source identification, and value. As previouslydiscussed, when the value is static, the value is stored at intermediatelayer 102. When a value is dynamic, intermediate layer 102 accesses thevalue from the registered source (e.g., application or external serviceprovider). For example, the first entry corresponds to data set 105,where application 108 is the registered source with a static value equalto value 701. The second entry corresponds to data set 106, whereapplication 109 is the registered source with dynamic data indicator 702(i.e., intermediate layer 102 accesses application 109 for the value).The third entry corresponds to data set 107, where service provider 112is the registered source with static value equal to value 703.

FIG. 8 depicts a data structure 800 that specifies data sets inaccordance with one or more example embodiments. Data structure 800 isbased on data structure 700 with additional attributes (related datasets 802 and expiration time 803) for each entry.

With some embodiments, when a first data set is related to a second dataset, values for both data sets are obtained when a data requestcorresponds to the first data set. For example, data set 105 is relatedto data set 801. Consequently, intermediate layer 102 obtains andreturns value_1 and value_3 to the requestor via web layer 101 when thedata request pertains to data set 1. A data set with a static value or adynamic value may be related to a data set with a dynamic or staticvalue.

However, the data set relationship need not be reciprocal, although itmay be reciprocal in some cases. For example, as depicted in datastructure 800, data set 801 is not related to data set 105. Therelationship corresponding to attribute 802 may be symbolically denotedas R. For example, as shown in FIG. 8,

(Data Set 1)=Data Set 4 but

(Data Set 4)≠Data Set 1. Moreover, while not explicitly shown in FIG. 8,embodiments may support nested relationships. For example, one maydenote such a situation as

(

(Data Set x))=Data Set y.

Expiration time 803 specifies a time after which a static value for adata set is not valid. When this occurs, a static value stored atintermediate layer 102 should not be returned to the requestor until theregistered source publishes an updated value to intermediate layer 102.Intermediate layer 102 may utilize one of a number of approaches in sucha situation. For example, intermediate layer 102 may return an errorindication when the value is expired. Alternatively, intermediate layer102 may query the registered source to update the value. As anotheralternative, intermediate layer 102 may wait for the value to beupdated, although this approach may result in undesirable waiting times.

Expiration time 803 may not be specified as with data set 801, in whichcase intermediate layer 102 always returns the available value. However,expiration time 803 is not applicable to dynamic values sinceintermediate layer 102 accesses the registered source for the value.

While FIGS. 7 and 8 depict single data structures for the data sets,embodiments may support separate data structures for each data set. Forexample, each entry in table 700 may be implemented as a separate datastructure.

With some embodiments, intermediate layer 102 enhances the protection ofdata at different tiers (e.g., application layer 103 and database layer104 as shown in FIG. 1). For example, intermediate layer 102 storesstatic values (static data) and requests dynamic values (dynamic data)provided by authoritative sources so that direct interaction between weblayer 101 and application layer 103 and/or database 104 is circumvented,thus reducing the possibility of malicious activity on logic executingat layers 103 and 104. In addition, protection may be enhanced when arequestor requests for data via web layer 101. For example, as will bediscussed, data presentation may be controlled at intermediate layer102. As will be discussed, a data portion of source data (which therequestor may not be allowed access to or which may contain informationthat is malicious in nature) from the authoritative source may beremoved by intermediate layer 102 before presentation via web layer 101.

FIG. 9 shows flowchart 900 in which intermediate layer 102 supports amessaging platform in accordance with one or more illustrativeembodiments. At block 901, intermediate layer 102 receives a request viaweb layer 101 for requested data that may comprise one or more datacomponents. For example a data component may comprise static or dynamicdata (which may be referred as a static value or a dynamic value aspreviously discussed). Consequently, requested data may comprise acombination of static and/or dynamic data components. Moreover, a sourcemay be registered for a plurality of data components, where differentsources are logically associated with different data components eventhough the different sources may be physically the same.

With some embodiments, dynamic data is not stored at intermediate layer102. Rather dynamic data accessed from the registered source wheneverthe data is requested via web layer 101.

At block 902, intermediate layer 102 identifies the authoritative source(source(1), source (2), . . . , source(n)) that is registered for eachdata component (data(1), data(2), . . . , data(n), respectively).Sources may be registered to data components (e.g., corresponding todata sets 105-107 as shown in FIG. 1) through an administration systemvia a communication interface as shown in FIG. 6. For example, theadministration system may send one or more configuration messages toprocessing device 603 for mapping the registered sources to thecorresponding data components.

At block 903, intermediate layer 102 determines whether a data componentcontains either static or dynamic data. If the data component containsdynamic data, at block 904 intermediate layer 102 functions as amessaging platform and generates a message to the registered source(e.g., an application or external service provider) for thecorresponding dynamic data. For example, as shown in FIG. 1,intermediate layer 102 accesses the dynamic value of data set 106 fromapplication 109. At block 905, the authoritative source returns thedynamic data to intermediate layer 102. However, as will be discussedwith FIG. 11, the authoritative source may return source data thatincludes both the dynamic data as well as additional information. If so,intermediate layer 102 may remove the additional information whenreturning the dynamic data to web layer 101.

At block 903, if intermediate layer 102 determines that a data componentcontains static data, intermediate layer 102 accesses the static datafrom a storage device (e.g., storage subsystem 601 as shown in FIG. 6)that is supported at intermediate layer 102. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, data set 105 stores a static value published by application 105.

At block 906, intermediate layer 102 retrieves the static data that isstored at the intermediate layer.

While static data is stored at intermediate layer 102, the validity ofthe static data may expire if the registered source does not update(publish) the static data within the validity time duration. However,the registered source may update the static data before the expirationtime by republishing the static data.

Referring to FIG. 10, flowchart 1000 shows intermediate layer 102supporting a message platform for updating static data when the storedstatic data has expired. If this situation occurs, intermediate layer102 may generate a message to the registered source requesting forupdated static data. When updated static is obtained from the registeredsource, intermediate layer 102 replaces the stored static data with theupdated static data. When intermediate layer 102 determines that thestored static data has expired at block 1001, intermediate layer 102sends a message to the registered source for updated static data atblock 1002. When intermediate layer receives the updated static data atblock 1003, intermediate layer 102 replaces the stored static data withthe updated static data at block 1004.

Referring back to FIG. 9, at block 907 intermediate layer 102 determineswhether all data components have been obtained for the data request fromweb layer 101. If so, the requested data (data(1), data(2), . . . ,data(n)) is returned at block 908 via web layer 101. Otherwise, at block909 intermediate layer 102 accesses the next data component either fromstorage maintained at intermediate layer 102 or from the registeredsource through messaging.

With some embodiments, intermediate layer 102 may deny access to one ormore data components in response to a data request via web layer 102.For example, a requestor may not be allowed access to one or more of therequested data components for security reasons.

FIG. 11 shows flowchart 1100 in which intermediate layer 102 controlsdata presentation when data is requested through web layer 101 inaccordance with one or more illustrative embodiments. Intermediate layer102 may prevent unwanted, unsolicited, and/or compromised information(e.g., an announcement embedded in a webpage of an external serviceprovider) from being presented to a requestor.

While flowcharts 1100 and 1200 (as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12,respectively) are directed to a situation where the source is anexternal service provider (e.g., service provider 112 as shown in FIG.1), embodiments may be directed to a situation in which the registeredsource is an internal source in a computer system (e.g., applications108 and 109 that are internal to computer system 100 as shown in FIG.1). For example, when a registered source is internal, a data portionmay be removed from source data because corresponding information isrestricted for access only within the computer system and should notpresented to a data request via web layer 101.

At block 1101, intermediate layer 102 receives a data request via weblayer 101, where the requested data comprises one or more datacomponents as previously discussed. The requested data may comprisestatic data and/or dynamic data, where the registered source is anexternal service provider or an internal source.

At block 1102, intermediate layer 102 determines whether the registeredsource is an external service provider or an internal source. If theregistered source is an internal source, e.g., application 108 orapplication 109, the requested data may be accessed at block 1104 asdiscussed with flowchart 200 as shown in FIG. 2.

If the registered source is an external service provider, intermediatelayer 102 determines whether the requested data comprises dynamic dataor static data at block 1103.

When the requested data comprises static data, intermediate layer 102accesses stored static data that is stored at intermediate layer 102.For example, as previously discussed in reference to FIG. 1,intermediate layer 102 at block 1108 may access the static value(corresponding to static data) stored at data set 107, where the staticdata is published by external service provider 112.

When the requested data comprises dynamic data, intermediate layer 102requests source data from the registered external service provider.Source data may comprise the dynamic data that is requested in the datarequest as well as additional data (referred as a data portion) that isremoved. For example, the source data may comprise a data representationof a webpage that includes third-party information (e.g., an embeddedannouncement) as well as the requested static data (e.g., a weatherforecast). Because the embedded announcement may be unwanted orunsolicited or may contain compromised information, it may beadvantageous to remove the embedded announcement from the source dataand only return the static data to the requestor via web layer 102.However, there may be instances where all of the source data iscontained in the static or dynamic data, where no data is removed.

Referring to FIG. 11, at block 1105 intermediate layer 102 requestssource data (which includes the dynamic data) from the registeredexternal service provider. At block 1106, intermediate layer 102 removesthe data portion from source data to obtain the dynamic data. (A similarapproach may be used when processing static data when published by itsregistered source.) Intermediate layer 102 then returns the dynamic datavia web layer 102.

Referring to FIG. 1, intermediate layer 102 obtains source data from theregistered service provider through a communication channel withoutinteracting with web layer 101. The communication channel may alsoincorporate encryption/decryption for more secure communications asneeded.

FIG. 12 shows flowchart 1200 in which intermediate layer 102 controlsdata presentation when static data is stored at intermediate layer 102in accordance with one or more illustrative embodiments. At block 1201,the registered source publishes source data (which includes the updatedstatic data). At block 1202, the data portion is removed from the sourcedata to obtain the static data that is returned to web layer at block1203.

Either dynamic or static data may be specified through an administrationsystem via a communication interface as shown in FIG. 6. For example,the administration system may send one or more configuration message toprocessing device 603 specifying the data portion to be removed fromsource data provided by the registered source.

With some embodiments, the administration system may initiate removal ofdata due to timed data, aged data, changed data, new data, and/orincremental data.

Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrativeembodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, andvariations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occurto persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of thisdisclosure. For example, one or more of the steps depicted in theillustrative figures may be performed in other than the recited order,and one or more depicted steps may be optional in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for supporting an intermediate layercomprising: a processing device; a memory device; a storage subsystem; afirst communication interface configured to communicate with a pluralityof sources of data, wherein the plurality of sources comprises first,second, and third sources; a second communication interfaceinterconnected with a web layer; an intermediate layer module stored inthe memory device, executable by the processor, wherein the intermediatelayer module supports an intermediate layer that interacts with the weblayer, the intermediate layer module configured to cause the processorto: receive a data request through the second communication interfacefor requested data through the web layer, wherein the requested datacomprises a first data component and wherein the first source isregistered for the first data component; when the first data componentcomprises dynamic data, generate a first message to the first source viathe first communication interface to access the first data component,wherein the first source comprises an external source of an externalservice provider and wherein the apparatus interacts with the externalservice provider via the first communication interface withoutinteracting with the web layer; and receive a first response with thefirst data component from the first source via the first communicationinterface; and return the requested data to the web layer via the secondcommunication interface.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein therequested data further comprises a second data component and wherein theintermediate layer module is further configured to cause the processorto: when the second data component comprises static data, access thesecond data component from the storage subsystem at the intermediatelayer, wherein the second source is registered for the second datacomponent.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the intermediate layermodule is further configured to cause the processor to: when a time toaccess the second data component is past an expiration time limit, senda second message to the second source for an updated second datacomponent; receive a second response with the updated second datacomponent; and replace the second data component with the updated seconddata component at the storage subsystem.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the requested data further comprises a third data component andwherein the intermediate layer module is further configured to cause theprocessor to: when the third data component comprises dynamic data,generate a third message to the third source via the first communicationinterface to access the third data component, wherein the third sourceis registered for the third data component and wherein the third sourceis different from the first source; and receive a third response withthe third data component from the third source via the firstcommunication interface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstsource comprises an application associated with an application layer andwherein the intermediate layer interacts between the web layer and theapplication layer.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sourcecomprises an external source of an external service provider and whereinthe apparatus interacts with the external service provider via the firstcommunication interface without interacting with the web layer.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the requested data comprises a pluralityof data components and wherein the intermediate layer module is furtherconfigured to cause the processor to: map the requested data into theplurality of data components; when one data component of the pluralityof data components comprises dynamic data, generate a correspondingmessage to a registered source via the first communication interface toaccess said one data component; and receive a corresponding responsewith said one data component from the registered source via the firstcommunication interface; and when said one data component comprisesstatic data, access said one data component from the storage subsystemat the intermediate layer, wherein said one data component is registeredfor the registered source.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein theintermediate layer module is further configured to cause the processorto: repeat the generating, receiving, and accessing for all remainingdata components of the plurality of data components.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the intermediate layer module is further configured tocause the processor to: deny access to said one data component whenreturning the requested data to the web layer via the secondcommunication interface.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theapparatus comprises a third communication interface and wherein theintermediate layer module is further configured to cause the processorto: receive a configuration message via the third communicationinterface; and register the first data component to the first sourcebased on the configuration message.
 11. One or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media for supporting an intermediate layer thatinteracts with a web layer and having computer-executable instructionsstored thereon, the computer-readable media comprising: a first set ofcodes for causing a computing device to receive a data request forrequested data through the web layer, wherein the requested datacomprises a first data component and wherein a first source isregistered for the first data component; a second set of codes forcausing the computing device to generate a first message to the firstsource to access the first data component when the first data componentcomprises dynamic data, wherein the first source comprises an externalsource of an external service provider and wherein the intermediatelayer interacts with the external service provider without interactingwith the web layer; a third set of codes for causing the computingdevice to receive, in response to generating the first message, a firstresponse with the first data component from the first source; and afourth set of codes for causing the computing device to return therequested data to the web layer.
 12. The computer-readable media ofclaim 11, further comprising: a fifth set of codes for causing thecomputing device to access a second data component from a storagesubsystem at the intermediate layer when the second data componentcomprises static data, wherein the requested data comprises the seconddata component and wherein a second source is registered for the seconddata component.
 13. The computer-readable media of claim 12, furthercomprising: a sixth set of codes for causing the computing device tosend a second message to the second source for an updated second datacomponent when a time to access the second data component is past anexpiration time limit; a seventh set of codes for causing the computingdevice to receive a second response with the updated second datacomponent; and an eighth set of codes for causing the computing deviceto replace the second data component with the updated second datacomponent at the storage subsystem.
 14. The computer-readable media ofclaim 11, further comprising: a ninth set of codes for causing thecomputing device to generate a third message to a third source to accessthe third data component when the third data component comprises dynamicdata, wherein the requested data comprises the third data component, thethird source is registered for the third data component, and the thirdsource is different from the first source; and a tenth set of codes forcausing the computing device to receive a third response with the thirddata component from the third source.
 15. The computer-readable media ofclaim 11, further comprising: an eleventh set of codes for causing thecomputing device to map the requested data into a plurality of datacomponents; a twelfth set of codes for causing the computing device to,when one data component of the plurality of data components comprisesdynamic data, generate a corresponding message to a registered sourcevia the first communication interface to access said one data component;a thirteenth set of codes for causing the computing device to receive,responsive to the generating, a corresponding response with said onedata component from the registered source; a fourteenth set of codes forcausing the computing device to access said one data component from thestorage subsystem at the intermediate layer when said one data componentcomprises static data, wherein said one data component is registered forthe registered source; and a fifteenth set of codes for causing thecomputing device to repeat the generating, receiving, and accessing forall remaining data components of the plurality of data components.
 16. Amethod for supporting an intermediate layer that interacts with a weblayer, the method comprising: receiving a data request for requesteddata through the web layer, wherein the requested data comprises a firstdata component and wherein a first source is registered for the firstdata component; when the first data component comprises dynamic data,generating a first message to the first source via a first communicationinterface to access the first data component, wherein the first sourcecomprises an external source of an external service provider and whereinthe intermediate layer interacts with the external service provider viathe first communication interface without interacting with the weblayer; and receiving a first response with the first data component fromthe first source; and returning the requested data to the web layer. 17.The method of claim 16, further comprising: when a second data componentcomprises static data, accessing the second data component from thestorage subsystem at the intermediate layer, wherein the requested datafurther comprises the second data component and wherein a [[the]] secondsource is registered for the second data component.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising: when a time to access the second datacomponent is past an expiration time limit, sending a second message tothe second source for an updated second data component; receiving asecond response with the updated second data component; and replacingthe second data component with the updated second data component at thestorage subsystem.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising: whena third data component comprises dynamic data, generating a thirdmessage to a third source to access the third data component, whereinthe requested data further comprises the third data component, the thirdsource is registered for the third data component, and the third sourceis different from the first source; and receiving a third response withthe third data component from the third source.
 20. The method of claim16, further comprising: mapping the requested data into a plurality ofdata components; when one data component of the plurality of datacomponents comprises dynamic data, generating a corresponding message toa registered source to access said one data component; and receiving acorresponding response with said one data component from the registeredsource via the first communication interface; when said one datacomponent comprises static data, accessing said one data component fromthe storage subsystem at the intermediate layer, wherein said one datacomponent is registered for the registered source; and repeating thegenerating, receiving, and accessing for all remaining data componentsof the plurality of data components.